Air-smoke homogenizing filter

ABSTRACT

An air-smoke homogenizing filter having longitudinal channels with a mouth end and an end opposite to the mouth end with a closed central portion adapted for abutting relationship with the end of the tobacco or the mouthpiece of a cigarette. A plurality of spaced longitudinal channels is disposed around a central axis channel and may be of a smaller cross-sectional dimension than the center axis channel. A plurality of transverse channels are provided which pass through the filter with the outward extremities thereof communicating with the ambient air and the inward extremities communicating with the central and/or the longitudinal channels, the diameter of the transverse and longitudinal channels preferably being less than that of the central channel. The homogenizing filter may be positioned at the smoke discharge end of the column of tobacco making up the cigarette and may have a conventional filter placed before or after the homogenizing filter and may be used with or without a hollow mouthpiece. The filter may be integrally made or made up of interfiltering constituent elements. Likewise the filter can be positioned in a cigarette holder.

United States Patent Alfred Andreas 141 Lexington Ave., New York, N.Y.10016 [21] Appl. No. 830,188

[22] Filed May 19,1969

[45 Patented Jan. 5, 1971 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No.667,955, Sept. 15, 1967, now abandoned.

[72] inventor [54] AIR-SMOKE HOMOGENIZING FILTER 9 Claims, 17 DrawingFigs.

2,337,574 12/1943 SloanetaL. ....(13l/261BUX) 2,695,617 11/1954Wamberg... l3l/10.5 3,043,314 7/1962 Bartolmeo.. 13 l/l0.5X 3,045,6807/1962 Smith 13 l/l0.5 3,389,705 6/1968 Levavi.. l3l/10.5 3,409,019ll/l968 Chun l31/9X FOREIGN PATENTS 839,706 6/1960 Great Britainl3l/26l(B) 577,635 6/1958 ltaly 131/9 Primary Examiner-Joseph S. ReichAttorney-Tennes l. Erstad ABSTRACT: An air-smoke homogenizing filterhaving longitudinal channels with a mouth and and an end opposite to themouth end with a closed central portion adapted for abuttingrelationship with the end of the tobacco or the mouthpiece of acigarette. A plurality of spaced longitudinal channels is disposedaround a central axis channel and may be of a smaller cross-sectionaldimension than the center axis channel. A plurality of transversechannels are provided which pass through the filter with the outwardextremities thereof communicating with the ambient air and the inwardextremities communicating with the central and/or the longitudinalchannels, the diameter of the transverse and longitudinal channelspreferably being less than that of the central channel. The homogenizingfilter may be positioned at the smoke discharge end of the column oftobacco making up the cigarette and may have a conventional filterplaced before or after the homogenizing filter and may be used with orwithout a hollow mouthpiece. The filter may be integrally made or madeup of interfiltering constituent elements. Likewise the filter can bepositioned in a cigarette holder.

PATENTEDJAN 51911 P 3.552.399

sum 1 OF 3 INVENTOR ATrokA/EY ATENTE JAN 51971 3.552.399

SHEET 3 0F 3 INVENTOR ATTORNEY AIR-SMOKE IIOMOGENIZING FILTER Thisapplication is a continuation-in-part of 'my previous application, Ser.No. 664,955the filed $ept. 15, 1967, now abandoned, in the name ofAlfred Andreas as inventor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION These patents describe structures which donot make possible the uniform mixing of tobacco smoke with air throughthe entire cross section or diameter of the smoke discharge and of thefilter. They thus neither appreciably and uniformlydilute the smoke withair nor in most cases do they separate out nicotine and other productsof tobacco combustion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The main object of this invention is -toprovide a novel filter based on an air-smoke mixing and homogenizingprinciple not ture of the smoke drawn throughthe cigarette beforereaching the smokers mouth is lowered'and the nicotine content and otherobjectionable products of tobacco combustion are separated and dilutedwhile at the same time not increasing the draw resistance through'thecigarette. This results in a cooler, lighter smoke and the end of thecigarette filte'r'has a lighter and more uniform discoloration becauseof the dilution andhomogenization. An equally important object of myinvention is to provide a filter for cigarettes and the like, which iscapable of diluting gases such as carbon monoxide before they reach thesmokers mouth.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved filter of thecharacter described, which can also serve as a cigarette holder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be more fullyunderstood and the objects of the invention will become apparent fromthe following description, wherein typical embodiments of the inventionare described in conjunction with thedrawing, wherein like referencenumbers indicate like parts, and wherein FIG. 1 is a fragmentarysideview of one embodiment of my novel construction.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sideview of my filter.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the entrance end of my filter.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the discharge end of my filter.

FIG. 5 is a section through line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of FIG. 5.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a filter according to the inventionmodified to serve also as a cigarette holder.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS My improved filter 2 may be of anysuitable material, such as cellulose paper, pith wood, balsa wood, metalor molded of plastic foamed or not, or other suitablematerial, as longas permanent perforations may be provided therein. It is positioned atthe rear end of column of a cut cigarette length 1. It may be used withor without standard filters and mouthpieces. I have shown in theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 how a standard filter 3 and mouthpiece3a may be positioned at the discharge end of myimproved filter. Astandard filter could also, if preferred, be positioned in front of myhomogenizing improved filter inbetween my improved filter and the cutlength 1 of cigarette rod. Likewise, my composite cigarette could have ahollow mouthpiece 3a and/or a conventional filter at the terminal end ofthe composite cigarette.

As usual, the tobacco 8 is contained in a paper tube 1. The filter 2 hasa central channel 6 which has a stop or blockage in front of theentrance end of the filter 2. Surrounding the central channel 6 is aplurality of axially extending longitudinal channels 5.

A plurality of transverse channels 4a and 4b passes through the filter 2and are ginnegted wigllh fl imdimllannels 5 ne] 6 is of such size thatwhen the air and the smoke from radial channels 4a, 4b and 5 mix, thereoccurs a dilution and mixture of the smoke, including carbon monoxide,as well as a cooling homogenization of air and smoke. Such coolingfacilitates the deposit of nicotine and other materials within thefilter, thereby lessening the harmful effects of smoking, the smokereaching the smokers mouth through exit 7 being cooler and milder.Anjirnportant' feature of the invention is that the size and the numberof .the channels as well as the diameter of their orifices can be sosized as to provide a smoke FIG. 7 is an end view ofthe mouth end ofathree piece fully assembled filter according to the invention.

FIG.8 is a side view of the filter shown in FIG. 7 wherein the filterassembly elements have been fully pushed together.

FIG. 8A is aside view of the filter shown in FIG. 7 wherein thecomponent parts of the filter are completely assembled.

FIG. 8B is a side view of the filter shown in FIG. 7 in which part oftheouter tubeis broken away to show the inner inserts;-

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken .along line 9-9 of FIG.

FIG.

FIG. 8.

FIG. FIG. 8.

FIG. I2 is a cross-sectional view'taken along line 12-12 of.

FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal side view of a cigarette holderequipped with afilter according to the invention.

10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of II is across-sectional view taken alongline 11-11 of which will taste as mildas desired. An advantageous material .for making the filter will beplastic which will not melt at the use temperatures, such aspolyethylene, acetal resins, acrylic resins, nylon, polypropylene.

Advantageously, the diameter of the central channel of the filter isgreater than that of the other channels. Thusthe dimension of thecentral channel suitably can range from 0.0410 to 0.0595 inches, whilethat of channels 4a'and 4b ranges from 0.0380 to 0.0420 inches and thatof channels 5 ranges from 0.0225 to 0.0310 inches. In one embodiment ofthe invention, the diameter of channel six was 0.0420 inches; that ofchannels 4a and 4b was 0.040 in'ches and that of channel 5 was 0.025inches.

- It will occur to those skilled in the'art that there are-many ways ofsecuring theclaimed filter to a cigaretteor to any other smokingarticle, such ways having already been devised for securing conventionalfilters or mouthpieces to columns of tobacco. Accordingly, it is notnecessary to dwell to any extent on this technology. By way of example,however, it will be seen that a uniting band maybe used to secure thefilter to a column of tobacco, the band being'adhererit and having beenpreperforated with perforations preferably aligned with the transversepassageways 4a and 4b of the filter. Similarly, a filter containing onlyaxial passages 6 and 5 can be inserted in a cigarette paper tube andtransverse channels 4a and 4b may be punched through the paper and thefilter. Also, the filter may have a cigarette-receiving end of enlargeddiameter in which the cigarette is received.

A readily made embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 7-13. Itconsists of an outer tube 20 into which is telescopically inserted anintermediate tube 22 shown in FIGS. and 12. Intermediate tube 22 hasinner and outer longitudinal grooves 5 which are semicircular andconstitute the previously mentioned longitudinal passageways once thefilter is assembled by the intersection of the innermost tube 24 intothe intermediate tube 22 and this subassembly is inserted into the outertube 20. The outer periphery of the inner tube 24 cooperates with theinner grooves of intermediate tube 22. The outer grooves of intermediatetube 22 cooperate with the inner periphery of outer tube 20. It willreadily be appreciated that the three tubes can be separately made byinjection moulding or by extrusion or can be molded in a mould in whichcase the radial passages 4a and 4b can be integrally made at the time ofextrusion. Passages 4a and 4b of inner, intermediate and outer tube canalso be made alternatively by punching through the plastic or otherconstituent material after the 3 tubes have been assembled. Centralchannel 6 in inner tube 24 is closed in front of the entrance end of theassembled filter as in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3.

In FIG. 8 l have shown the filter subelements partially assembled and inFIG. 8A and 8B 1 have shown the filter completely assembled. In FIG. 88part of the outer tube is broken away to show the inner tube.

It will be noted that the filter of the invention can be used with anysmoking article such as a pipe or a cigarette holder.

Thus, in FIG. 14, the filter 2 is shown in a cigarette holder 26. Here,the filter may be made as part of the holder or may be inserted in achamber provided in the holder.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the filter 2 is made with acigarette-receiving end 16 whose inner diameter is substantially equalto the outer diameter of a cigarette. As in all embodiments of theinvention, a conventional filter 3 may be positioned next to my improvedfilter before mouthpiece 3a but this is optional.

After my improved filter is joined to the end of a cigarette and used bythe smoker, it can be either reused or thrown away at the discretion ofthe smoker.

My improved filter can be positioned in an empty chamber of a cigaretteholder to receive smoke from a cigarette being smoked. For this use, thefilter is made of permanent material such as plastic or light metalwhich can be readily cleaned of deposits with cleaning or lighter fluid.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the principles ofthe invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise without departing from such principles.

I claim:

1. Filter for homogenizing air and smoke at the mouth end of a smokingarticle, said homogenizing filter having a center axial passageway and aplurality of longitudinal passageways surrounding and extending parallelto the axis thereof, transverse passageways extending through saidfilter and having extremities connecting with said passageways and withthe ambient air for diluting and homogenizing the air and smoke drawnthrough said smoking article and through said transverse passageways,said center axial passageway having an impervious obstruction at the endwhich abuts said smoking article to cause the smoke drawn from saidarticle to move into said longitudinal air passageways surrounding saidcenter axial passageway.

2. A filter according to claim I wherein some of said transversepassageways connect directly -with said center axial passageway andother transverse passageways connect the am-' I bient air with saidpassageways extending parallel to said center axial passageway.

3. A filter according to claim 1 wherein said longitudinal surroundingpassageways are individual channels and said central axial passageway isan individual passageway of larger cross section than said individualsurrounding passageways.

4. A filter according to claim 1 wherein said center axial passagewayhas a cross-sectional diameter ranging between 0.0410 and 0.0595 inches.

5. A filter according to claim I wherein said surrounding passagewayshave a cross-sectional diameter ranging between 0.0380 and 0.0420inches.

6. A filter according to claim I wherein said transverse passagewayshave a cross-sectional diameter ranging between 0.0380 and 0.0420inches.

7. A filter according to claim I wherein said center axial passagewayhas a cross-sectional diameter of approximately 0.0420 inches, thelongitudinal passageways having a crosssectional diameter ofapproximately 0.025 inches, and the transverse passageways having across-sectional diameter of approximately 0.040 inches.

8. A filter according to claim I in combination with a cigarette holder.

9. A filter according to claim 1 consisting of a first outer tube, asecond intermediate tube in said outer tube having radial grooves on theouter periphery thereof defining some of said longitudinal passagewaysin conjunction with said outer tube, said second tube having alsointernal grooves, a central tube closed at one end fitting in saidsecond tube, the outer periphery of said central tube defining the otherof said longitudinal passageways in conjunction with said internalgrooves, said central tube having an end thereof closed to form saidimpervious obstruction.

2. A filter according to claim 1 wherein some of said transversepassageways connect directly with said center axial passageway and othertransverse passageways connect the ambient air with said passagewaysextending parallel to said center axial passageway.
 3. A filteraccording to claim 1 wherein said longitudinal surrounding passagewaysare individual channels and said central axial passageway is anindividual passageway of larger cross section than said individualsurrounding passageways.
 4. A filter according to claim 1 wherein saidcenter axial passageway has a cross-sectional diameter ranging between0.0410 and 0.0595 inches.
 5. A filter according to claim 1 wherein saidsurrounding passageways have a cross-sectional diameter ranging between0.0380 and 0.0420 inches.
 6. A filter according to claim 1 wherein saidtransverse passageways have a cross-sectional diameter ranging between0.0380 and 0.0420 inches.
 7. A filter according to claim 1 wherein saidcenter axial passageway has a cross-sectional diameter of approximately0.0420 inches, the longitudinal passageways having a cross-sectionaldiameter of approximately 0.025 inches, and the transverse passagewayshaving a cross-sectional diameter of approximately 0.040 inches.
 8. Afilter according to claim 1 in combination with a cigarette holder.
 9. Afilter according to claim 1 consisting of a first outer tube, a secondintermediate tube in said outer tube having radial grooves on the outerperiphery thereof defining some of said longitudinal passageways inconjunction with said outer tube, said second tube having also internalgrooves, a central tube closed at one end fitting in said second tube,the outer periphery of said central tube defining the other of saidlongitudinal passageways in conjunction with said internal grooves, saidcentral tube having an end thereof closed to form said imperviousobstruction.